OFW Filipino Heroes

Sunday, June 26, 2011

China -Opposite to their promise not to use force - They Creates a Storm in Naval Show of Force In Spratlys

China had promised not to use force in settling the disputes in their claim over the Spratlys in the West Philippines Seas, and Paracels but they creates a Storm in Naval Show of Force – Opposite to their promise not to use force which gains criticism and protest from Singapore as Chinas’ provocation to their small neighbors. Vietnam protest in the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi and Philippines send the VRP Rajah Humabon Destroyer to the West Philippines’ Sea to protect their sovereignty .

On any given day, up to a thousand ships sail into Singapore’s harbor, arguably the busiest in Southeast Asia.

But on June 19, China’s maritime patrol ship, the Haixun-31, docked in Singapore after sailing through the disputed Paracel and Spratlys archipelagos in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), sending waves of anxieties throughout the region as far afield as Japan and the United States, the leading naval power in the Pacific.

The visit of Haixun-31 did not come unnoticed as it took place amid the acrimonious dispute between China and a number of Asian countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam, over territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea.

The visit came as the Philippines deployed its flagship, the Rajah Humabon, to protect the islands it has claimed in the Spratlys group from incursions by Chinese vessels.

The Spratlys and the Paracels are claimed in part or entirely by China and one or five other countries—the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The visit of Haixun-31 touched off a protest from Singapore, which has no claims in the disputed waters, and which demanded a clarification from China of the extent of its claims in the region. Singapore said China’s ambiguity was causing international concern.

The foreign ministry said that while Singapore had no claims of its own, it was a major trading nation whose interest could be affected by issues relating to freedom of navigation in the area.

The Philippines and Vietnam, of all the claimants, have expressed alarm over the increasing aggressiveness of Chinese incursions in areas claimed by Manila and Hanoi as part of their sovereign territories, and interventions in their explorations in the waters for oil and mineral resources.

Beijing refers to the body of water as the South China Sea (SCS), but Hanoi calls it the East Sea (ES) and Philippines called it West Philippines’ Sea (WPS).

Chinese stratagem – We will not use force if you will knee for our powerful armaments

Singapore was forced to protest not over the aggressive actions of China in the West Philippine Sea but over the trick with which the Chinese carried out the visit in the disguise of a harmless, long-arranged port of call by a civilian ship.

The visit by the Haixun-31, which belongs to China’s Maritime Safety Administration, annoyed Singapore over the fact that it took place amid rising tensions among countries with territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea.

China has come under increasing international criticism over its willingness to use force to pressure rival claimants in the West Philippine Sea to stop them from exploration activities in their claimed areas.

Singapore has criticized China for the ambiguity of its claims which are marked as nine dotted lines covering almost the entire West Philippine Sea. Independent experts point out that it is this U-shaped line that the Singapore government wants Beijing to clarify.

At a conference two weeks ago, Singapore’s former senior minister S. Jakamura said China should clarify its “puzzling and disturbing” nine-dotted lines map of the West Philippine Sea. He said the map had no apparent basis under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

Some academics say that according to maritime lawyers, the line is at odds with Unclos for which China proclaims its adherence to freedom of navigation but has not defined its claims under the UN convention.

China’s Offensive move over West Philippines’ Sea (WPS)

When China’s Maritime Safety Administration requested a port of call, it presented the request as a routine visit. It was supposed to be part of existing technical exchanges on marine safety and environmental protection between the two countries.

The visit turned out to be provocative when the ship sailed through disputed waters in the Spratlys and Paracel archipelagos where it could have encountered activities of the Philippines and Vietnam, which have denounced the Chinese incursions in the United Nations.

The aggressive Chinese intentions were revealed by Chinese media representatives embedded in the voyage.

They reported that the trip was to reinforce China’s sovereignty claims in the West Philippine Sea and to keep watch on foreign oil rigs and ships “in Chinese waters.” A reporter for China National Radio reported from the vessel as it set out from Guangdong province on June 15 that the purpose of the journey was “to protect China’s maritime rights and sovereignty.”

Explanation for U shape 9 dotted line - Unlawful

The next day, the People’s Daily, mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, said the Haixun-31 had tasks “beside the usual inspections on routine navigation routes.” They included “checks on oil rigs, stationary ships’ operations in constructions and surveys, and sailors who are sailing close to Chinese waters.”

The report added: “The vessel will also conduct checks on foreign ships navigating, anchored and operating in Chinese waters.”

Sensing the potential for armed clashes posed by this maritime mission, which might encounter navigation activities and constructions in the West Philippine Sea, Singapore issued the statement:

“We think it is in China’s own interests to clarify its claims in the SCS (South China Sea) with more precision as the current ambiguity as to their extent has caused serious concerns in the international maritime community.

“Singapore is not a claimant state and takes no position on the merits or otherwise of the various claims in the SCS. But as a major trading nation, Singapore has a critical interest in anything affecting freedom of navigation in all international sea lanes, including those in the SCS.”

 

Puerto Princesa and the 7 Wonders - Longest Navigable Underground River in the World

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Sabang, Palawan Western Philippines is ranked and top as 7 Natural wonders of the World. Prior to the discovery of the longest underground river in Mexico, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National is the known as the longest one. In the present, it is still the longest navigable underground river in the world and the 7 natural wonders of the world.

City of Puerto Princesa, capital of Palawan province, is the center of government, commerce and industry in the long island province also known as the "last frontier of the Philippines." Named in 1864 after Princess Asuncion, the daughter of Queen Isabela II, Puerto Princesa has evolved to be the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines and a major tourist destination.

As the second largest city in the country (next only to Davao City) in terms of land area, Puerto Princesa is composed of 66 barangays spread over an area that is 76 percent forested. Its reputation as the cleanest city in the country is emphasized by its strict anti-littering laws; it is amazing to see absolutely no trash or litter even in the remotest barangays.

Tourism is easily the top industry of Puerto Princesa, with the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park as its top draw. Located in Sabang town 50 kilometers northwest of the city proper, the park is one of the most important biodiversity conservation areas in Asia. It features a limestone or karst mountain landscape that contains an 8.2 kilometer long underground river that flows directly to the sea. The river is navigable up to 4.3 kilometers and trained park staff operate paddleboat tours for visitors to experience the amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations and chambers, as well as the thousands of bats and swiflets that inhabit the caves.

Through the efforts of Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn, management responsibility of the park was transferred to the city government in 1992. As the first national park devolved and successfully managed by an LGU, it is a model of best practices for biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism in the Philippines.

As the official representative of the Philippines, the Underground River is currently one of 28 finalists to the Search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The Underground River’s bid may be supported by logging on to www.new7wonders.com  and voting for it.

A tour of the landmarks and seemingly endless wonderful sceneries and adventures of Puerto Princesa City would best be experienced in 3-5 days. One of the best places to stay is the three-month old Hotel Centro, a first class hotel in the heart of the city that boasts of wide open spaces and a well-trained hospitality staff.

Must-see places in Puerto Princesa are the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, whose imposing twin spires are easily the most recognizable landmark in the city; the Plaza Cuartel, an ancient fort across the Cathedral that was mute witness to the burning of 150 American captives by Japanese soldiers during World War II; the Baywalk that boasts of a clean and panoramic bay; and the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Park that includes a crocodile farm. Island-hopping on famous Honda Bay is best enjoyed as a separate tour.

 

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